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Niner Bikes Carbon Fork: On Test

Our European contributor, “c_g”, has been lining up some rigid forks of late for testing. Here is one of those in his latest report:

Now on test –NINER Carbon fork: by “c_g”

It came as a real key moment for me when I first saw pictures of this fork late in 2008. This fork was so different by looks and design to everything existing back then. Now, late in 2010 the NINER fork is not the only all carbon monocoque rigid fork for 29er anymore but it still is one of the most advanced, a fact that is easily shown by the fork receiving the EUROBIKE Design Award this year. Here is what NINER said in their entry for the award:

”The Niner carbon rigid fork incorporates advances design features. It is a true monocoque construction requiring only one mold for production. Lay-up proceeds in order, from the top of the carbon steerer then to the crown section and to the legs and finally the dropouts, all as a single unit. With the exception of small metal protection plates bonded to the dropouts and the threaded inserts in the disc mount, the fork is 100% carbon fiber – unique in mountain bikes. Like all Niner carbon, this light fork exceeds CEN standards for strength and safety while supplying the superb ride quality required of a rigid fork.”

I have had a few occasions to ride a bike with the fork on it – the brand new NINER Air 9 Carbon being the most recent one (see the ride report here), but I never have had the chance to subject this fork to a long term test on my own bikes. Now I have been given the opportunity to really spend some serious ride time on the fork and will see how it behaves on different frames and in direct comparison to other “new generation rigid forks”.

Here are the relevant facts on the fork:

* 470 mm axle to crown length
* 47 mm offset
* Disc only (Post mount)
* Super light at ~ 565 grams
* No rider weight limit (initially there was a weight limit set, but has since been removed after extensive testing *).
* Fits rotors up to 185mm (again initially there had been a max rotor size of 160 mm – my fork still is labeled as such *)
* Available in many colors, which match the Niner paint perfectly but will complement many other frames as well. My fork´s color is called atomic blue. (NINER also offers it unfinished to qualified painters and custom builders to match their custom project.)
* Strongly forward facing dropouts (with laminated alloy plates)
* Available in 1 1/8th (all colors) and tapered (only white and tang orange)

The sample fork I have received is a standard 1 1/8th used demo fork, that has a cut steerer tube (not much need for spacers there on my bikes :)) and some cosmetic signs of use. Its atomic blue color is a real fashion statement. As is the strongly triangulated profile of the legs. that have a tire clearance of about 86 mm (~3.4”). Like every NINER Carbon fork it came with a really nice extender plug and Carbon end cap.

How does it ride? I have been riding the fork on and off (eg. on the GAS29 TITANICA, here) since EUROBIKE, therefore my first impression post on the NINER Carbon rigid fork is rather well defined and will be following soon.

RIDE ON,

c_g

* Note: The fork has not been changed at all, and if you currently own a Niner carbon fork that says max rotor size 160mm, you are ok to install a 185mm rotor if you wish. Your fork is just as strong as the forks that now list the larger limit.

I raced this fork most of the summer. It is fantastic. I will continue to use it in 95% of the racing that I do. It takes just enough of the edge off. There are usually only 1-2 places on most XC courses that really require suspension and I only missed for the first lap of the first race I did on it.

I am interested to hear what c_g says about this fork and how it compares to more of my thoughts on it as well.

Beautiful fork. I want one but here’s my beef. A year ago, I was told I was too heavy for it. I also run 185mm rotors so the fork was a no go for me. So now, after “extensive testing” everything is ok? That tells me that the forks were not fully tested before they went to market. I remember being dumbfounded with the video of Steve beating the fork with a hammer, yet I was too big to ride it! I think it looks bad on Niner’s part that they would release a product without fully testing it. It has also cost them sales. The money that I would have put towards this fork which I can apparently ride has been sent on a competitor’s product. To clarify, I own and ride two Niner bikes 7 days a week. I love their products. I just think that ALL manufacturers should have the homework done before it’s turned in.

Oderus: When I first saw the max rotot limit at 160 with this fork, I was bummed as well but as you have already pointed out this and the rider´s maximum weight limit has cost NINER some sales on this fork. You can be sure they would be the ones most interested to have the limits raised.
A big factor might have been that at the time of the NINER Carbon fork´s introduction monocoque carbon forks were new and long term experiences did not exist. IMO it would be just to accuse NINER of possibly having been (over)cautious with their limits on the fork, avoidig any potential failures on a new product ( a practice often reversed by less reputable manufacturers)
… something i find commendable rather than condemnable.
(You see there are always to sides to a coin – the trúth might be somewhere in between :-))

One more word on testing or manufacturer not doing their homework: Testing (which very often is standardized) can only do so much for a product but it will never replace long term real life riding and the experiences gained from it. Only the combination of both will get the real results.

Whish I Were Riding: Thanks for questioning. If I am not completely mistaken, the offset is 45 mm

@ dman. I swapped out my rock solid for the niner. Niner fork is on another level especially in terms of stiffness under braking. I gave my rock solid away that’s how much I valued it afterwards.
It is also increadibly strong. I stupidly ran into an underground carpark concrete soffit with my SIR. King headset and niner fork crown took all the impact. Tore the bike and rack off the car. Only some surface scratches to the fork and headset. Totalled the racks and some of the car roof. Strong forks !
But they are still rigid forks – prefer to descend on rougher terrain with a suspension fork anyday!

I like to push the limits of my steel fork, knowing it will bend first, not snap like a twig, and at 6’3″, 190 lbs. I would simply never feel comfortable riding any carbon fiber fork. But it sure looks perty!

I am the 4th owner of an on-one carbon fork. Two of the 3 guys who owned this fork before me are/were in excess of 220 lbs, up to 250 at times. one would do endos on it. I still have no reservations about riding it. I don’t worry about it when its on my bike. Im actually trying to find another crown race for the fork so i can swap more quickly to fit my mood.

I would love the niner fork but the pricetag is a bit prohibitive. i think the time to doubt carbon is over- in the right places. stems still aren’t the right place for it- it offers little to no advantage in stiffness or weight.